Current law allows the state board of health to adopt rules concerning the disposal of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) only after the federal environmental protection agency (EPA) has adopted rules concerning the disposal of NORM. The EPA has not adopted the rules. The bill:

Requires the state board to adopt rules for the disposal of NORM and technologically enhanced NORM (TENORM); and

While the state board is conducting its rule-making investigation, requires:

The department of public health and environment (department) to convene a stakeholder group;

Generators of NORM and TENORM waste to report to the department;

The department to contract for the creation of a report;

The department to submit the report to the general assembly;

The department to propose draft rules; and

Generators of NORM and TENORM waste to comply with guidance and letters issued by the department and its solid waste management program.

The bill appropriates $16,596,405 from the general fund to the department for use by the hazardous materials and waste management division to implement the act.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)